Dabigatran vs. Plavix for Stroke Risk Reduction: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Dabigatran

(Pradaxa)

Clopidogrel

(Plavix)

Summary for Dabigatran

Prescription only

Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to help prevent and treat blood clots in adults and children. It's approved for certain conditions, including atrial fibrillation (AFib), where it lowers the risk of stroke. The medication comes as oral capsules and oral pellets that you take by mouth once or twice a day, depending on your condition. Common side effects include stomach upset and bleeding. If serious bleeding occurs, another medication called Praxbind (idarucizumab) can quickly reverse its blood-thinning effects.

Indications for Dabigatran

Adults:

Lower the risk of stroke and blood clots in certain people with atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Treat blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) - after 5 to 10 days of treatment with an injectable blood thinner
Lower the risk of DVT and PE from happening again in those who finished treatment
Prevent DVT or PE after hip replacement surgery

Children (3 months and older):

Treat blood clots - after 5 days of treatment with an injectable blood thinner
Lower the risk of blood clots from happening again in those who finished treatment

Pros and Cons for Dabigatran

Pros

Doesn't require regular blood tests, frequent dose changes, or diet changes
Has a specific reversal agent (Praxbind) for emergency situations
Approved for both adults and children

Cons

Most commonly taken twice a day
Can raise the risk of serious bleeding
Commonly causes stomach-related side effects like stomach upset and nausea

Common Side Effects for Dabigatran

Upset stomach
Nausea
Stomach pain
Bleeding

Warnings for Dabigatran

Higher risk of blood clots from stopping too early
Bleeding around the spine (after certain spinal procedures)
Risk of bleeding
Not for people with mechanical heart valves
Interactions with other medications
Not for people with antiphospholipid syndrome

Summary for Plavix

Prescription only

Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a prescription antiplatelet medication that helps lower your risk of heart attack or stroke. It works by stopping platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming clots. You take it as a tablet by mouth once a day, and it might be used alone or with aspirin in some situations. Since it's a blood thinner, the most common side effect is bleeding.

Indications for Plavix

Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in people with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in people who recently had one, or who have peripheral artery disease

Pros and Cons for Plavix

Pros

Good choice for lowering the risk of heart attack or stroke
Tablet that's taken once a day by mouth
Can be taken with or without food

Cons

Can cause major bleeding or bruising
Has many interactions with other medications
Might not work as well for people with East Asian descent

Common Side Effects for Plavix

Minor bleeding (5%)
Major bleeding (4%)

Warnings for Plavix

Clopidogrel (Plavix) not working as well
Bleeding
Risk of heart attack or stroke if stopped suddenly
Blood clotting condition
Allergic reaction

Prices with our coupons for Dabigatran vs. Plavix

Dabigatran60 capsules / 150mg

$46.09$215.09

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Clopidogrel30 tablets / 75mg

$11.33$89.92

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Dabigatran vs. Plavix

Dabigatran

Clopidogrel

Summary for Dabigatran

Indications for Dabigatran

Pros and Cons for Dabigatran

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Dabigatran

Warnings for Dabigatran

Summary for Plavix

Indications for Plavix

Pros and Cons for Plavix

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Plavix

Warnings for Plavix

Prices with our coupons for Dabigatran vs. Plavix

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Dabigatran

Clopidogrel

Summary for Dabigatran

Indications for Dabigatran

Pros and Cons for Dabigatran

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Dabigatran

Warnings for Dabigatran

Summary for Plavix

Indications for Plavix

Pros and Cons for Plavix

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Plavix

Warnings for Plavix